Blake put all the surviving players and all the civilians in the chief’s hall, and watched them. There was some bad blood and hard feelings and every other cliche that meant unpleasant history. But he needed these people—all of them, and he couldn’t let nonsense interfere.

“Chief Sebastian is dead,” he said in the silence. “The men who truly supported him are dead. Those who remain here today turned against him, or fought for him because they felt they had no choice.”

Still no one said a word, and Blake sighed. “I don’t much care how anyone feels about each other. We don’t have many players left. If we’re going to survive, at all,” he shouted, “we need every scrap of strength we have left. Anyone disagree with that? There’s the door. Good luck in the forest.”

They got amenable quick after that, especially after he offered them all houses of their own and an equal share in the town’s profits and spoils going forward.

“From here on out, we don’t raid or kill players unless they attack us first. We grow our numbers, we explore, we build. There’s a damn big world to figure out and maybe not that much time to do it. You can all be bloody sure we’re not alone, and that this great game is going to have some curve balls.”

By the end they all seemed happy enough, though Blake still read a few of their minds to make sure. After that the civilians all cleared out and went to go claim their houses with smiles and a renewed sense of hope.

“We trusted you, and you didn’t let us down,” said Billy the brewer as he took Blake’s hand. “That means a lot.”

“I’m glad,” Blake grinned. “But there was never any doubt.”

The young man grinned and the civilians went out single file, and then it was just Blake and the dejected, wounded players. It was time to address the elephant in the room.

“Some of you are thinking I’m too weak to be the patron. That it should be my brother Mason instead. That someone might just kill me and throw things into chaos.” Some looked at him, some looked away. “Sebastian thought I was weak. Fools often do.” He shot a round of terror into them because it was a lot easier than trust or love or really anything, and he’d build up the rest later.

“We’re going to do everything we can to improve this town. You probably don’t even realize Sebastian was hoarding what are called ‘patron points’ from all of you.”

The players exchanged looks and Blake snorted.

“I also gained a large reward of it for taking this town. I can create new buildings, entertainment, defenses. I want your opinions and input on what to build—but I’m thinking one building for all of you to relax and gather with civilians. To meet women.” Here he stopped and grinned. “After that, I’m thinking a smith, a leatherworker—anything we have civilians for and think can improve us in combat.”

He could see he had their attention now. Good. He needed these men because Mason couldn’t do everything.

“I’ll be sending you out much like Sebastian did,” he explained, “but this time to recruit anyone you find. We’ll worry about quality later. Any questions?”

The four remaining men all met his eyes now at least, but shook their heads.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Go on,” he said. “Go to your houses and rest. The supply room is open, get whatever you want, whenever you need. I’m trusting you. Don’t make me regret it.”

They went out one by one without saying a word, and Blake hoped morale would slowly improve. Seul-ki finally stepped out from behind him with a fake brow raised.

“You have big plans.”

Blake grinned. “You have no idea.”

“And your brother?”

“He’ll do his part,” Blake put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. “Don’t worry. Whatever we may say, however it may look, Mason and I are loyal forever. We have been since we were five.”

Seul-ki returned his smile. “I’m glad to hear it. Because he’s somewhat terrifying.”

“Yes he is,” Blake laughed. “A terrifying, paranoid son of a bitch, new and improved with enhanced magic power. And he’s all ours.”

Seul-ki was still tired from her experience with the staff, so Blake took her back to their house for a rest, not comfortable yet in the patron’s hall. Her eyes fluttered the moment they walked inside, and he lay her down on the couch.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“Yes,” she smiled. “I’ve regained half my mana now. I’m just tired.”

Blake shook his head, always amazed how fast she could do that. He looked at his own mana at less than a quarter, then got distracted by his profile, which still blinked with a whole host of upgrades.

Apparently he got to pick a new class, which ordinarily would have had him pouring over the options with frenzied greed. But as a patron, it seemed time limits were almost non-existent. The system told him he had weeks to decide everything if he chose.

“I leveled when we brought down Sebastian,” he said, and Seul-ki grinned.

“So did I.”

“Oh really,” Blake stroked a few stray strands of hair from her forehead. “Anything fun?”

She buried her face in the pillow so he couldn’t see, and he laughed.

“You’re as devious as you are beautiful.”

She turned back to him and became more serious. “Blake, I…want to trust you. I do trust you.” He opened his mouth to say something back, but she raised a finger to his lips. “All my life I have wanted…a cause, an employer…someone worthy of my time and talent. Do you understand? I have never wanted to lead. But I have always wanted to serve a worthy leader.”

“Yes,” Blake said. “I think I understand.”

Her green eyes sparkled as she watched him. “I think your brother and I, we are very much alike.”

Blake wasn’t sure how he felt about that comment. He wasn’t the jealous type but the idea of Seul-ki even liking anyone but him suddenly brought a spike of heat to his chest.

“What I mean is,” Seul-ki grinned, as if she sensed how he felt, “in you we both see the same potential, the same feeling of purpose. The faith we both lack in the world, I think, we find in you.”

Blake wasn’t sure what to say to that. But as he met Seul-ki's eyes he saw an expression he knew quite well. He leaned down and kissed her, running his fingers up her leg to rest on her hip.

“My culture is very…conservative,” she chastised, “when it comes to sex.”

“Right,” Blake said. “Well. I’ll go lock the doors.”

Seul-ki laughed and sat up to wrap her arms around his chest. “There was many things I did not like about my culture,” she said. “I think I would like to break some traditions. But I need just a little time.”

Blake stroked the girl’s beautiful face with a thumb. “Time is something we have. And I think we can find something to do in the meantime.”

“Yes,” Seul-ki giggled, “cuddle.” She pulled him down to nestle against her on the couch. “But if you can be patient, I can take very good care of your health, patron.”

He smiled, wrapping his arms around her. “A patron’s health is especially important.”

For a contented moment he just closed his eyes and took in her scent, the feel of her small body pressed against him.

Strange, he thought, to enjoy her company so much so fast. Blake hardly truly liked anyone, other than Mason. And despite not knowing Seul-ki well, he just…liked her.

Curious. But not important. She was his ally, after all, and she was useful. These were two of the very few things that mattered to Blake.

So he could be patient. Patient with the town he’d already decided to rename, with his brother and the players who had their own objectives that weren’t yet his. And yes, with the girl smiling up at him, who was too clever and too devious to be entirely as safe as she seemed.

In the previous game of life, Blake Nimitz was the type to start slow, but win in the end. This world seemed no different. So he could be very patient indeed.